Gattis Teacher of the Year: Mary Beth Cordon

“Knowing when to nudge and when to let the learner practice is difficult work,” said Cordon. “My reward is when a reader says ‘No one ever talked to me about my reading like this!’ Or when I overhear conversations during math that let me know small groups of children are supporting each other.”

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]This past August, Mary Beth Cordon began her 45th school year. It also marked two years that Cordon has held the position as instructional coach at Gattis Elementary School.

Recently, Cordon was named the 2017 Teacher of the Year for Gattis. She has been a member of the RRISD educator community since 1984. Over the course of her career with the district, she has diligently continued to develop her skill as a professional educator.

As a child, Cordon moved around a lot, attending 13 different elementary schools, which she said led to learning gaps. Realizing it was left up to her to take charge of her own learning, Cordon developed her own methods in which to struggle through the gaps.

After entering college as a food and nutrition major, she quickly switched her major to child development, which eventually changed the course of Cordon’s life. The following summer, she began teaching in Germany.

“Knowing when to nudge and when to let the learner practice is difficult work,” said Cordon. “My reward is when a reader says ‘No one ever talked to me about my reading like this!’ Or when I overhear conversations during math that let me know small groups of children are supporting each other.”

Described as “respected” and “valued,” Cordon’s co-workers regard her as someone who goes the distance for both students and her fellow teachers.

“Mary Beth teaches me something new every time we have a conversation,” Gattis Principal Jennifer Lucas said. “She is the ultimate teacher and a lifelong learner that inspires greatness.”

Cordon’s days at Gattis Elementary are filled with lesson planning, gathering resources, providing interventions and facilitating on-going professional development. She describes being at Gattis Elementary each day as an “honor.”[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGbHBTb3g2YmxNUDAlMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4lM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]